A Case of Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is characterized by the presence of multiple gas-filled cysts within the bowel wall. PCI may be idiopathic or secondary to a variety of disorders. Theories to explain cyst development include injury to the intestinal wall, a break in the mucosal barrier and rupture of a pulmonary bleb. PCI has been associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, collagen vascular disease, organ transplantation, necrotizing enterocolitis, pseudomembranous colitis, and mechanical obstruction. PCI is usually found incidentally on an imaging study. Oxygen therapy has become the treatment of choice for patients with symptoms caused by pneumatosis. We experienced a case who found to have PCI by simple abdomen, computed tomography and colonoscopy in a diabetic patient who visited hospital due to abdominal pain accompanying with congestive heart failure. So, we report a case of PCI in a 53-year old woman with the review of recent literatures.